Researchers from Cornell University found these perennials to be super weed suppressors. Meet the seven samurai of weed control? 1. 'Emerald Blue' moss phlox (Phlox subulata) Full sun Mat-forming habit 4 to 6 inches tall; 24 inches wide Hardy in Zones 3 through 9 Good spring and summer coverage; declines slightly in fall Lavender-blue flowers in April and May Native; evergreen 2. 'Thriller' lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis) Full sun to shade Clumping habit 12 to 18 inches tall; 24 inches wide Hardy in Zones 4 through 7 Dense canopy of broad, scalloped leaves Pale yellow flowers from late spring to early fall 3. 'Walker's Low' catmint (Nepeta x faassenii) Full sun to light shade Upright habit 18 to 24 inches tall; 18 inches wide Hardy in Zones 3 through 9 Rapidly growing foliage produces dense cover by late spring Light blue flowers from late June to mid-September 4. 'Golden Fleece' dwarf goldenrod (Solidago sphacelata) Full sun to light shade Upright habit 18 inches tall; 24 inches wide Hardy in Zones 3 through 8 Dark green foliage Bright yellow flowers throughout summer, into early fall Exceptionally stress-tolerant; native Attracts butterflies 5. 'Albiflorus' creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) Full sun to light shade Mat-forming habit 2 inches tall; 18 inches wide Hardy in Zones 5 through 7 Vigorous spreader; thickens again in early fall after flowering Needs to be weeded during first year because of low growth habit Tiny white blooms in late spring and early summer Pleasant-smelling, evergreen Good for relatively dry conditions or on well-drained slopes, not for wet areas 6. 'Herman's Pride' false lamium (Lamiastrum galeobdolon) Light shade to full shade Clumping, or restrained spreading, habit 12 to 18 inches tall; 18 to 24 inches wide Hardy in Zones 4 through 9 Fast-growing dense canopy spreads by stolons, particularly in second year Maintains mottled yellow-green foliage throughout growing season Pale yellow flowers from late spring through midsummer 7. 'Majestic' lilyturf (Liriope) Light shade Clumping habit 8 to 12 inches tall; 6 to 12 inches wide Hardy in Zones 4 through 10 Dark green grasslike foliage emerges in late spring Violet-blue flower spikes in July and August Flowers followed by blue-black berry clusters Evergreen
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